The Canadian Media Directors’ Council (CMDC) honoured the winners of the YA Future Impact Awards for 2026. Last night, more than 300 advertising and media professionals attended a reception to celebrate the exceptional achievements of young talent shaping the Canadian media industry.
Mike Rumble of Epitaph Group was named Media Leader of the Year at the 2026 CMDC YA Future Impact Awards, held on October 22 at Steam Whistle Brewing Event Spaces in Toronto. WPP Media and Epitaph Group led all agencies with two wins each, from more than 300 entries across Canada.
And the winners are..
CMDC Announces 2026 YA Future Impact honoured the next generation of Canadian media talent at Steam Whistle Brewing Event Spaces on October 22. Here are this year's winners.
Media Leader of the Year
Mike Rumble
Epitaph Group
Innovator of the Year
Dimple Rochani
PHD
Young Marketer of the Year
Julian Saddy
Kenvue
Notable Newcomer of the Year
Sam Kaiman
Cossette Media
Strategic Retail Media Partner of the Year
Calvin Ross
WPP Media
Video Champion of the Year
Sierra Laughlin
Epitaph Group
Emerging Women in Technology & Media of the Year
Sofiia Mirza
Involved Media
Media Entertainer of the Year
Jacqueline Chu
WPP Media
Collaborator of the Year
Maria Gomez Silva
Media Experts
Insight to Impact of the Year
Andrea Monge
Bleublancrouge
Local Media Champion of the Year
Patrick Echegoyen
Cairns Oneil
By agency: WPP Media and Epitaph Group each took home two awards.
We will have the event photo gallery published here on Canadian Ad Insider shortly.
